Australia and Vietnam will increase the level of cooperation between the two countries in an effort to combat illegal fishing in the Asia Pacific region.

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and Vietnamese Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ha Cong Tuan, extended a partnership between both nations by signing a memorandum of understanding at the APEC meeting in Can Tho, Vietnam earlier this week.

Vice Minister Tuan said the MoU would deepen cooperation and lay the foundation for ongoing partnership between the two governments as they address Australian and Vietnamese flag carrying vessels engaged in IUU fishing.

“Signing of the MoU demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to work with other countries in the region to combat IUU fishing,” Vice Minister Tuan said.

“The associated public information campaign will also assist regional fishers to better understand international fishing rules and Vietnam will work with Australia to implement this campaign as soon as possible.”